Scrap metal workers win case for
back pay from illegal lock out
Steelworkers scored an important
judicial victory in Saskatchewan in
recent months. Local 5917 members
at Wheat City Metals (a subsidiary of
IPSCO) were illegally locked out in
April and May of this year. The union
took an LRB decision on the illegal
lock-out to the Court of Queen’s
bench, where it won an enforcement
decision in mid-September. Staff rep-
resentative Mike
Pisak, an IWA
Council officer,
says the 39 work-
ers stuck together
through a long
mediation process
and kept their cool
while legal pro-
ceedings took
place. In late August the crew ratified
a 3-year agreement with wage and
benefit improvements and better
wage rate protection. “It was a long
haul for our members,” say Pisak.
“The crew deserves much credit.”

District to increase communication
efforts through Rapid Response
Locals throughout Western Canada
are assisting the district by collecting
the names and e-mails of members
in the work-
APID oO place.
ESPONSE Members
EET? throughout
the district are being asked to sign up
for important information through a
district Rapid Response program,
which is part of the Steelworkers’
Communications
and Action
Network (SCAN).
Via-mail, mem-
bers will be able
to receive publica-
tions, bulletins,
health and safety
DavidTones _ news, legislative
updates, and provide direct feedback
to the union. “We are getting a good
response so far but there remains
‘much to be done,” says D3’s
Assistant Director David Tones.

Mike Pisak

= Steelworkers from the Teck Cominco smelter in Trail brought their issues to the
Vancouver business district and UBCM convention. proto NORMAN GARCIA

tC Bringing the Battle to Downtown Vancouver A major successful
strike took place this summer and fall in Trail, B.C. when Steelworkers Locals
480 and 9705 took to the picket lines to beat back concessionary demands at
the Teck Cominco smelting operations. Both unions, representing over 1,200
workers, stood steadfast on the picket line and even took their battle to the
big city. The strike began on July 19. By September, as the union faced a
growing number of injunctions, curbing their rights to picket, the workers
mobilized further. On September 16 two bus loads of strikers appeared at ral-
lies outside the offices of the BC Utilities Commission and Teck Cominco.
The union brought forward the issue of private hydro power exports, during
the strike, by Teck Cominco. The commission and the government were
allowing the company to use public water resources to generate record elec-
tricity profits during the strike. Then the strikers appeared for a second time
— this time at the annual convention of the BC Union of Municipalities at the
Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. On September 27, they leafleted
convention delegates on the hydro export issue and got support from numer-
ous communities and delegates. Four days later a three-year agreement was
reached. Three-year collective agreement were
reached, paying ro per cent over 3 years plus a lump-
sum signing bonus of $3,500 per union member. [>
Action and Solidarity made the Difference!
District 3 Director Steve Hunt says the Teck Cominco
strike was successful because “our members did a lot
more than walk the picket line.” The union rallied
. community suppport, got support from local and
Steve Hunt (r.) addressed provincial (NDP) politicians and took the fight over
power exports to the public and the media (see
above). Brother Hunt notes that Steelworkers support their communities and
that communities in Trail and surrounding areas paid workers back with
much support and many kind deeds throughout the strike.

20 TDecemBeR 2005 THE ALLIED WORKER